Fan shroud

ABSTRACT

A cooling system is provided for use in a machine. The cooling system includes a fan having a hub and a plurality of evenly spaced blades connected with the hub, and a shroud partially surrounding the fan. The shroud includes a flat surface having an opening of a predetermined diameter is centrally disposed on the flat surface. Further, the shroud includes a circular sidewall having of a predetermined width extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the flat surface and encompasses the opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a fan shroud adapted for usewithin a cooling system in a machine and more particularly related to adesign of the fan shroud for attaining low noise and maximum air flow.

BACKGROUND

A cooling system is provided for cooling an engine of a machine. The faninduces cooling air flow to pass through the core of the radiator forengine cooling purposes. EP Patent Number 645,543 discloses a coolingsystem for use with an internal combustion engine, the cooling systemincluding a fan defining a central axis, a radiator asymmetrical inshape about the central axis, and a fan shroud disposed about the fanand defining a flow path for directing cooling flow across the radiator.The fan shroud includes a radially converging inlet portion, a radiallydiverging outlet portion and a cylindrical transition portion therebetween. The radially converging inlet portion and the radiallydiverging outlet portion are axisymmetrical in shape about the centralaxis and are substantially symmetric with one another about an imaginaryplane constructed normal to the central axis. The geometry of the fanshroud, the alignment of the fan shroud relative to the fan, and the fanspacing relative to the radiator are determined according todimensionless numbers relating the various geometries to the fandiameter and the projected axial fan chord. However, there is still roomfor improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a cooling system is provided for use in a machine. Thecooling system includes a fan having a hub and a plurality of evenlyspaced blades connected with the hub, and a shroud partially surroundingthe fan. The shroud includes a flat surface having an opening of apredetermined diameter is centrally disposed on the flat surface.Further, the shroud includes a circular sidewall having of apredetermined width extending in a substantially perpendicular directionfrom the flat surface and encompasses the opening, such that thecircular sidewall partially covers the blades.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a cooling system in amachine;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the cooling system of FIG. 1,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective assembled view of the cooling system ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a side assembled view of the cooling system of FIG.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a fan shroud adapted for use within acooling system of a machine. FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectionalview of a cooling system 100 in a machine 102, such as an articulatedtruck, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 102 may include afront section 104 and a body 106 connected by an articulation joint 108.The front section 104 of the machine 102 may include an operator cab 110and an engine enclosure 112. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portion of theengine enclosure 112 is removed to show a partial cross-sectional viewof the cooling system 100 and an associated engine 114. The engineenclosure 112 may include a frame 116 for supporting various components,primarily including the engine 114 and the cooling system 100. Theengine 114 may include an engine block 118 and is connected to the frame116 by engine mounts 120 (only one is shown). The engine mounts 120, ofa conventional type, may resiliently connect the engine block 118 to theframe 116 and enables limited movement of the engine 114 relative to theframe 116.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the cooling system 100may include a fan 122, a shroud 124, and a heat exchanger 126 adjacentlypositioned along an axial direction XX′. The fan 122 may include, forexample, but not limited to, an axial flow fan. The fan 122 may includea hub 128 and a plurality of evenly spaced blades 130 connected with thehub 128. In an embodiment, the blades 130 may include about 4 to 12aerodynamically contoured blades. Further, the blades 130 of the fan 122may have a predetermined width W1.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hub 128 is connected toa fan drive pulley 132. The fan drive pulley 132 is driven in aconventional manner by a drive belt 134 rotated by an engine drivendrive pulley 136 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment,the hub 128 is configured to be rotatably driven by a motor or any othersuitable source known in the art. The fan 122 may be drivenhydraulically or electrically by the motor, which may derive power fromthe engine 114. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heatexchanger 126 may include at least one of a radiator, a condenser, anoil-cooler, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler or anintercooler/charge air cooler. The heat exchanger 126 may include a coreof rectangular cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the heatexchanger 126, for example, the radiator, is positioned adjacent theshroud 124 and the fan 122 is rotatably mounted within the shroud 124which is further discussed in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the cooling system 100, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the shroud124 may have a substantially rectangular shape with a major dimension L1and a minor dimension L2 and be configured to surround the fan 122. Inan embodiment, the ratio of minor and major dimensions L2:L1 may beabout 0.67. In various other aspects of the present disclosure, theratio of minor and major dimensions L2:L1 may be in a range of about 0.5to 0.8. Further, based on the application and size of cooling system100, the shroud 124 may have a square, circular, oval or any othersuitable shape to surround the fan 122. According to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, the shroud 124 may include a flat surface 138 with acentrally disposed opening 140 with a predetermined diameter D1. Theopening 140 provided on the flat surface 138 having the predetermineddiameter D1 is configured to receive the fan 122 within expectedclearances. Further, the fan 122 may have an outer diameter D2, suchthat the predetermined diameter D1 is greater than the outer diameter D2by about 16 mm. In various other aspects of the present disclosure, thepredetermined diameter D1 of the opening 140 is greater than fan outerdiameter D2 by about 14 mm to 18 mm. It will be apparent to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art that, the expected clearances betweenthe blades 130 and the opening 140 permits a predetermined amount ofmovement of the fan 122 in a transverse direction with respect to theaxial direction XX′. Moreover, the clearance is preferably kept at aminimum in order to maximize efficiency of the cooling system 100.

Furthermore, the shroud 124 includes a circular sidewall 142 having apredetermined width W2, which extends in a substantially perpendiculardirection, along the axial direction XX′, from the flat surface 138 andencompasses the opening 140. In an aspect of the present disclosure, thecircular sidewall 142 is configured to partially cover the blades 130 inthe axial direction XX′, such that a ratio of circular sidewall ofpredetermined width W2 and the fan blade of predetermined width W1 maybe about 0.67. In various other aspects of the present disclosure, ratioof circular sidewall of predetermined width W2 and the fan blade ofpredetermined width W1 may be in a range of about 0.5 to 0.8. Further,the flat surface 138 and the circular sidewall 142 may be connected by acurved surface 144. In an embodiment, the circular sidewall 142 may beconnected to the flat surface 138 by welding or alternativelymanufactured integrally with the flat surface 138 by casting. Moreover,the shroud 124 may be made of a glass reinforced polymer, which mayimpart high impact toughness in addition to high strength.

A plurality of first fastening means 146 are configured to connect theshroud 124 to the heat exchanger 126. In an embodiment, the firstfastening means 146 may include, for example, but not limited to,threaded fasteners, to releasably connects first mounting flangeportions 148, of the shroud 124, to the second mounting flange portions150, of the heat exchanger 126. As illustrated, the first fasteningmeans 146 are configured to pass through a set of apertures 152 providedin the first mounting flange portions 148 and securely attach within aset of threaded holes 154, substantially aligned with the set ofapertures 152, provided in the second mounting flange portions 150, toreleasably connect the shroud 124 with the heat exchanger 126. Likewise,a plurality of second set of fastening means 156 are configured toconnect a protective shield 158 to the shroud 124. The protective shield158 may be fabricated of a spaced wire formed into a domedconfiguration, and is positioned to substantially cover the fan 122. Theprotective shield 158 is configured to allow airflow and block entranceof objects of a substantial size. In various other embodiments, variousother possible methods including, welding, riveting may be used toconnect the shroud 124 and the protective shield 158.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an assembled view of the cooling system 100.During operation, a cooling air flow A induced by the fan 122 isconfigured to pass through radiator 126 and facilitate heat transferbetween the air and coolant flowing through a radiator core, in aconventional manner. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fan 122 may extend bya predetermined distance P from the circular sidewall 142. In anembodiment, a ratio of the predetermined distance P and the fan blade ofpredetermined width W1 may be about 0.33. In various other aspects ofthe present disclosure, the ratio of the predetermined distance P andthe fan blade of predetermined width W1 may be in a range of about 0.2to 0.4.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability of the shroud 124 for attaining low noiseand maximizing air flow described herein will be readily appreciatedfrom the foregoing discussion. Although the machine 102 shown as thearticulated truck, any type of machine that performs at least oneoperation associated with, for example, mining, construction, and otherindustrial applications may embody the disclosed fan shroud 124. Themachine 102 may also be associated with non-industrial uses andenvironments, such as, for example, but not limited to, an off-highwaytruck, on-highway truck, a backhoe loader, an industrial loader, askidder, a wheel tractor, an excavator, a wheel dozer, an wheel loader,a asphalt paver, a cold planer, a compactor, a feller buncher, a forestmachine, a forwarder, a harvester, a motor grader, a hydraulic shovel, aroad reclaimer, a tele-handler, a mining machine or the like.

With reference to the above-described FIGS. 1 to 4, the circularsidewall 142 of the shroud 124 protruding the flat surface 138 partiallycovers the blades 130. In an aspect, the blades 130 which extend by thepredetermined distance P may reduce any possible for interferencebetween the blades 130 and the shroud 124 in both static applicationsand dynamic machine applications. The predetermined distance P may bebased on design and application of the fan 122, and it is optimallycalculated to avoid pulling any air from around the blades 130, when thefan 122 is placed too far from the opening 140. Further, it also avoidsturbulence and noise, in case the fan 122 is placed deep into theopening 140 of the shroud 124.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the flat surfaces 138 providedin the shroud 124 may direct airflow through a transition of therectangular cross section of the core of the heat exchanger 126 to acircular cross section of the fan 122. Further, the flat surfaces 138are parallel to the core of the heat exchanger 126, which may preventexcess restriction of the airflow coming from corners of the core of theheat exchanger 138, thereby noise may be reduced attaining maximumairflow. These factors of low noise and maximum airflow may increaseefficiency of the shroud 124.

As described above, the shroud 124 may be made of a glass-reinforcedpolymer, which may provide a highly smooth surface finish even whenglass or mineral reinforcement is added. This smooth surface finishhelps reduce the frictional loss while air passing through the fan 122,thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the cooling system 100.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated thatother implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from theforegoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereofare intended to reference the particular example being discussed at thatpoint and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope ofthe disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling system adapted for use in a machinecomprising: a fan having a hub and a plurality of evenly spaced bladesconnected with the hub; and a shroud partially surrounding the fan, theshroud includes: a flat surface; an opening of a predetermined diameteris centrally disposed on the flat surface; and a circular sidewallhaving of a predetermined width extending in a substantiallyperpendicular direction from the flat surface and encompasses theopening.
 2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the shroud has arectangular shape.
 3. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein the shroudhaving a major dimension and a minor dimension, a ratio of the minordimension to the major dimension is in a range of about 0.5 to 0.8. 4.The cooling system of claim 3, wherein the ratio of the minor dimensionto the major dimension is about 0.67.
 5. The cooling system of claim 1,wherein the flat surface and the circular sidewall are connected by acurved surface.
 6. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the circularsidewall partially covers the fan blades.
 7. The cooling system of claim6, wherein the plurality of fan blades having a predetermined width, aratio of the circular sidewall width to the fan blade of predeterminedwidth is in a range of about 0.5 to 0.8.
 8. The cooling system of claim7, wherein the ratio of the circular sidewall of predetermined width tothe fan blade of predetermined width is about 0.67.
 9. The coolingsystem of claim 7, wherein the fan extends by a predetermined distancebeyond the shroud, a ratio of the predetermined distance to the fanblade of predetermined width is in a range of about 0.2 to 0.4.
 10. Thecooling system of claim 9, wherein the ratio of the predetermineddistance to the fan blade of predetermined width is about 0.33.
 11. Thecooling system of claim 1 further includes a heat exchanger releasablyconnected with the shroud.
 12. The cooling system of claim 11, the heatexchanger includes a core, wherein the flat surfaces are parallel withthe core of the heat exchanger.
 13. The cooling system of claim 1further includes a protective shield releasably connected with theshroud and is positioned to substantially cover the fan.
 14. A shroudconfigured to partially surround a fan adapted in a cooling systemcomprising: a flat surface; an opening of a predetermined diameter iscentrally disposed on the flat surface; and a circular sidewall havingof a predetermined width extending in a substantially perpendiculardirection from the flat surface and encompasses the opening.
 15. Theshroud of claim 14, wherein the shroud has a rectangular shape.
 16. Theshroud of claim 15, wherein the shroud having a major dimension and aminor dimension, a ratio of the minor dimension to the major dimensionis in a range of about 0.5 to 0.8.
 17. The shroud of claim 16, whereinthe ratio of the minor dimension to the major dimension is about 0.67.18. The shroud of claim 14, wherein the flat surface and the circularsidewall are connected by a curved surface.
 19. The shroud of claim 14,wherein the shroud is configured to be releasably connected with a heatexchanger.
 20. The cooling system of claim 19, the heat exchangerincludes a core, wherein the flat surfaces are parallel with the core ofthe heat exchanger.